If you are considering moving or have just moved to San Jose, you may be curious to learn about some of the best bars in San Jose. Bars provide people an outlet with which to relax, hang out with friends, or enjoy a fun night drinking with their spouse. Since drinks aren't cheap, getting recommendations can help you avoid bars that wouldn't appeal to you. Regardless of what it is you are after in a bar, we have the perfect one for you. Here are 16 bars to check out in San Jose in 2016.
San Jose is close to amazing wineries, so it's no surprise that there are some great local wine bars. However, Vino Vino in San Jose stands apart from the rest. They have a pump system that pumps out wine by the glass at one low price. They also feature bottles of wine from local wineries. The ambiance, location and prices are sure to please and impress you.
87 N San Pedro St #105, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 703-2333
Yelp: 4 stars, 418 reviews
If you are looking for a place to grab an ice cold beer, look no farther than the Original Gravity Public House. This place not only provides you with a mellow bar, but also a unique variety of 25 various craft beers at any one time to appeal to any beer lover's palate. These beers rotate weekly, so there is always something new to check out.
66 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 915-2337
Yelp: 4 stars, 546 reviews
If you are looking to catch the game, check out The Doghouse Sports Lounge. This place has a wide variety of food and drinks as well as a great atmosphere. You can take in a game, play darts, pool or air hockey or take part in their daily happy hour that lasts from 12 until 6:30.
1336 N 1st St, San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 453-5326
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 35 reviews
The best whiskey bar in San Jose, Ca is Haberdasher. However, this is a unique little bar. It has a very intimate feel and they take reservations. You can sit down in the basement and sip your whiskey as you cuddle up with a loved one in a booth. If you want a classy, quiet night, this is the bar for you.
43 W San Salvador St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 792-7356
Yelp: 4 stars, 87 reviews
The best after work drink spot would have to be Dive Bar. And best of all, happy hour is right after work lets out, from 4 to 8:30 daily. Dive bar offers a unique variety of drinks and food and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. They also have local DJ's and karaoke on Wednesday, making it a great place to visit and unwind after a long day or work week.
78 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 288-5252
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 228 reviews
If you are a person that enjoys a laid back environment and conversation with the regulars, then The Cinebar is the place for you to go. This is a laid back environment with a Rock ‘n’ Roll type of vibe to it. There are black and white pop murals on the wall of this small bar and it is a favorite among the local crowd. In fact, it's regularly placed as one of the best dive bars in San Jose, voted on by the readers and staff of Best of Silicon Valley.
The Cinebar
69 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 292-9562
Yelp: 4 stars, 299 reviews
If you want a creative, unique cocktail, the Paper Plane is the place you need to visit. Paper Plane has an extra long bar to create a fun and busy atmosphere. But their cocktails push this fun bar over the edge. The have amazing house cocktails that are unique to them. And they have on- tap alcohol punches that are created in-house. Share a punch bowl with your friends at this bar.
72 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 713-2625
Yelp: 4 stars, 571 reviews
Source: wikimedia.org
The best place for live music will always depend on your taste of music. However, JJ’s Blues is a place you should visit for live blues or jazz music Tuesdays through Sundays. They also offer a full bar so you can be sure that you can enjoy your beverage of choice while listening to live music. They were voted the best small music venue and best jazz/blues club by the Best of Silicon Valley 2015, so you know you are getting a high-caliber experience when you visit this live music bar. Check out the calendar on their website to see when your favorite musicians are playing.
3439 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117
(408) 243-6441
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 98 reviews
If you are looking for a bar that has the best outdoor space to enjoy your beverage and gather with friends, look no further than ISO Beers Bar. This place offers dozens of craft beers on tap and a large patio decorated with wooden picnic-style tables to enjoy the nice weather out in San Jose, while being able to converse with your friends.
75 E Santa Clara St #120, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 298-2337
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 152 reviews
Some places are worth paying a little extra for. If you don't mind splurging on pricey food and drinks, be sure to check out Loft Bar & Bistro. This is a two story building, with a first floor bar and dining area and second floor dance and DJ space, that also offers a rooftop patio, to further enhance your experience and allow you to take in the sights and sounds of downtown while enjoying a bird’s eye view of your surroundings with an ice cold beverage and American fare food.
90 S Second St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 291-0677
Yelp: 3 stars, 951 reviews
The best local joint in San Jose is Patty’s Inn. This place is small but well-known by the locals as a place that is “halfway fun and halfway something else." Patty’s Inn is known for their Bloody Mary’s but do not let that deter you from checking this place out if you prefer other drinks, as they have a full bar. They are also conveniently located by HP Pavillion, so be sure to grab a drink on your way into or out of a Sharks hockey game.
Patty's Inn
102 S Montgomery St, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 998-4566
Yelp: 4 stars, 67 reviews
Many of the best bars in San Jose don't open up until the evening. But if you are playing hookie from work or have the day off, and are looking to do a little day drinking, be sure to check out Good Karma. Good Karma is a vegan cafe, but if you walk past the cafe portion and go straight back, they have a bar that serves vegan juices and local specialty ales. They tend to keep about 20 different beers on tap, so be sure to check them out and enjoy one of their great salads or wraps when you visit.
37 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 294-2694
Yelp: 4 stars, 728 reviews
This is a tricky one to decide on as everyone's personality is different. But, one of the best first date bars in San Jose is the Vintage Wine Bar. This is part of the Vintage Wine Merchants building, which is housed in a beautiful, gothic-style building. The bar inside allows you to taste many of the wines you can purchase in the store and offers a wide array of wine flights, allowing you to sample several wines at once. The building also has a beautiful patio and garden area, allowing you to enjoy a drink with your date, while still having a beautiful and quiet setting where you can really get to know each other.
368 Santana Row #1040, San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 985-9463
Yelp: 4 stars, 269 reviews
Pressed Juicery may be a chain but it is one of the best places to grab a fresh, non-alcoholic beverage in the San Jose area. This juicery specializes in fruit and vegetable juices, both served individually or in large containers you can take home to share with your family. They add no water or sugar to their juices, so you know you are getting genuine fruit or vegetable juice. They even sell kits to help you juice cleanse, which can improve your health and reduce your waistline.
1035 Olin Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
(669) 342-4978
Yelp: 4 stars, 109 reviews
Source: wikimedia.org
Renegades Bar is the most popular gay bar in San Jose. Renegades offers outdoor seating, billiards, darts and video games in a fun atmosphere where you can let your inhibitions go. One of the best parts of this bar is they welcome everyone. Regular visitors include gay men, lesbians, drag queens and straight individuals. If you are looking for a fun night with a nonjudgemental crowd, this is the place to go.
501 W Taylor St, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 275-9902
Yelp: 4 star, 27 reviews
If you are looking for something new in San Jose, check out Mortar & Pestle Bar. This bar is located inside of Curry Up Indian Street Food, allowing you to eat some amazing food after you partake in some fun and unique cocktails. The bar features a lengthy line up of signature craft cocktails and an impressive spirits that aren't typically found in bars. This bar is sure to become popular, so be sure to check out it before word spreads and you have trouble finding a seat.
3250 Zanker Rd #20, San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 770-3541
Yelp: 4 stars, 21 reviews
